The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-31
CHAPTER XIV.


himself by Betty. laying his hand on her
soft, cool forehead.
20, papa! Is it you" cried the daughter.
sprlnging to her feet and laying aside her
book
Eyes, my child, replied Lord Ernst, with
an amused smile.
Pray forgive ME, papa! Twas so inter
eested IN my book that | thought it was Net
ia who had entered said the young lady,
apologetically
You are pardonable, my daughter"
sad her father, taking up her book and
looking at it. ''You are not the first one
that has been lost in Guy Mannering; it al
most brings up Charlotte Cushman in her
wonderful personation of Meg Merriles' to
look at the title.n
Lady Betty kissed his cheek tenderly.
Betty, you feel well today, do you
Yes, papa; perfectly So"
And your nerves, how are theyl"
why, papa! Whata question! never
knew | had any nerves beforen cried Betty,
laughing at the idea.
That is a happy condition to be in, Bet
ty. | hope you may always be in such a
beatltic state; it is more than most ladies
can say" jokingly replied her father.
Why, papa! Why do you wish to
knows"
Because, my child, have something to
tell you that may or may not be very I'M
pleasant, and was little afraid of the eff
feet -
What is it, papa. Tell me, do! Is it
that cannot go to Lady Everglades ball
next week." said Betty with twinkle in
her eyes that foretold mischief eff tits that,
| shall not grieve, as that of the Duchess
was JOY enough for the whole season"
NO. BpttV--lt is not that-it is sOTpa-
thing that concerns Sir Arthur, replied her
father, sadly.
80, papa! There is nothing wrong9 He
is not sick? or, perhaps something worse 81
exclaimed Betty, with gasp of alarm.
AS far as / know at present he is physi-
cally we'll"
"Om exclaimed Betty, in relief; "then
what is wrong, papa"
For answer Lord Ernst placed the Coun-
tess letter in his daughters hand.
Lady Betty read it through to the end,
sometimes with paling cheek and trembling
lip, and then her countenanCe changed to
an expression of sincere pity and tears
flowed freely.
80, papa how hard! how cruel" cried
the young girl, as she finished the letter.
Her father wiped the fowing tears tender
ly from the sweet eyes and drew the deaf
form i'll this her first sorrow fondly to HIM.
Il am sad for you, my lOve-I would will
ingly have spared you this; but had fOndly
hoped that it was merely sisterly affection
you felt for this young MAINLAND now feaI
it is more" said Lord Ernst, sadly.
80, papam exclaimed Betty, drawing her.
self from her fathers embrace and looking
at him with her large eyes larger than was
their want. 80, papa! it is not that. an
glad Arthur has married one he loves anC
one SO good and beautiful as to be loved by
my dear Countess; but feel so sad for my
old playmate that he should be treated SO by
his fatherm
'And you feel no regret for yourself?
cried the delighted father
mo, dear papa-nOne. | feel that have
| had losS-for Arthur was SO kind and true
but | do not think l loved him more thar
a sister.
My daughter! my child! am deeply
thankful that it is SOL!
when we go abroad, dear papa, we must
seek out Arthur and his wife-and | shall
try to love his wife like my own sister"
| But she is of low birth, my child, " re
piled Lord Ernst, doubtfuly-for in Eng
| land low birth is pardonable so long as the
persons remain in their own rank-but the
! nobility hardly forgive an attempt to raise
| themselves by marrying above them-anc
| Lord Ernst, kind though he was, was hard
girl as an equal for his own daughter
THAT does not matter, dear papa, if she
| is as good and sweet that the Countess can
| love her: her want of rank is nothing sale
Betty, warmly.
Il fear it will be in society, my child"
| But if she has her husband what need
she care for what society thinks"
''Ah, my child Arthur has been reared
in society and he will feel the sights offered
his wife if she does not"
What, papa! If he should be Earl"
eyes, my child; more so than now-fOr
whatever imperfection of character may
have been entailed upon her by her com
mon parentage, and which would not be no
| ticed in the surrounding to which she has
been accustomed, will be more glaring wher
| surrounded by unaccuStomed luxury anc
refinement" replied Lord Ernst.
Lady Betty sighed and leaned her pretty
head thoughtfuly on her fathers shoulder
while the brown, dimpled hand patted hei
| fathers bearded cheek.
.'Well, pa, let it be as you say-yet still
with your permissions, will visit her whoi
we 90 abroad and see what | can do fol
her. ="
lyon can do that, my sweet daughter.
"Shau | try if ] cannot soften the Earl
papa" ,.,,taa.
if his affection for his only son and bis ex
cellent Countess cannot do it, you would not
he more successful and would only make
him dislike you" replied her father, grave
"Surelv, he cannot be so incensed against
his onIy child as to cast him off forever
exclaimed Lady Betty, with Mortified coun-
| tenance. ,,
lyon do not know the Earl, my child, as
| do He is a hard, stern man, who never
| forpivcs any one who thwarts his ambition
Buf, my dear, it is an i'll wind that blows
mo- gooi'--and while this sad affair has
brought trials and tribulations TO one fami
~. f has saved my precious daughter from
m1nch sorrow think, my love, you have
VET to find the loyal heart and true that
car enslave your youthful affections ire
Lady Betty glanced at her father with q
ehv smile that told him more than words
that the Young Count had taken deeper
| hold of her warm heart than she knew.
Lord Ernst kissed his daughter and left
bo,, boudoir with lighter step and heart
Ann when he entered it an hour before
while Lady Betty with "a strange feeling
~ rrlief that she had not known for months
tbonaht sadly of the SORROWS of Sir Arthur
and his young wife.
,uI IoTrED WV